First Annual Report: January 1, 1910 to September 30, 1910, Inclusive (Classic Reprint)

This book provides readers with a comprehensive overview of the Illinois Board of Administration, established in 1909, to oversee the state's charitable institutions. The board's creation consolidated the administration of seventeen institutions under one authority and was part of a broader movement toward the centralization and professionalization of social welfare in the United States. The author traces the development of the board, examining its origins, structure, and functions, as well as the challenges it faced in its early years. The book also explores the ideological and political context in which the board operated, shedding light on the broader transformations in the understanding and treatment of mental illness, poverty, and crime that were taking place at the turn of the 20th century. Ultimately, this book offers valuable insights into the history of social welfare in Illinois and the United States, and the ongoing struggle to provide humane and effective care for those in need.